Can I Be Emancipated Even Through My Parents Refuse to Let Me Move Out

I'm 16 and will be 17 in May. I will have my license in February and want to move in with my boyfriend. He has a house and my parents most likely won't let me move out. I have a good-paying job and get good grades.

[ccsmod7]

Hi there,

Thank you for writing to us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS).

While we are not experts on the law in South Carolina, 18 is generally the age that an individual may leave home without parent permission. If you are under 18 and leave home, your parent/guardian may file you as a runaway and you may be returned home. Also, those you stay with may run the risk of being charged with harboring a runaway. For more specifics on the law, the local non-emergency police or legal aid may better answer legal questions.

We are here to help and support you as much as we are able. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email to assist you. If you would like to talk more in detail please call or chat soon.

Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to 911 or seek emergency assistance immediately.

Be safe,
NRS

When can I legally leave my house in SC?

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

You mentioned wanting to know how you can leave home before turning 18. The easiest way to leave home is with your parent's permission. We understand that might be challenging, however, maybe there’s another family member, relative, or a family friend who could help to communicate how you’re feeling to your parents. The second way is through Child Protective Services if safety is a concern. Lastly, you can also look into emancipation options. In most states you need to be at least 16 to be considered and demonstrate that you can support yourself financially and independently. Emancipation often can be a lengthy process and may even cost some money for court fees. We would be happy to look into legal resources if that’s something you are considering.

Please reach out soon so that we may offer support and resources to you. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Be safe,

NRS

Im a minor 16, and I want to move out of my parents house and get emancipated. My parents and I dont get along at all If I called the cops and asked them to tell my parents to let me move in with another family member could they?

[ccsmod5]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out, we hope to help as best we can. We're sorry you're going through this at home, you don't deserve to be hurt in any way and should be able to feel safe & comfortable in your own house. Child Help USA 1-800-422-4453 www.childhelp.org is an organization that helps protect minors from being harmed. It may also be a good place to explore options for staying with another family member or someone you trust as far as transferring custody.

It sounds like you are interested in emancipation. We are not legal experts, but we can help you get a general sense of how emancipation works. Our general understanding is some states offer formal emancipation statutes while others do not unfortunately. Laws vary depending on your location, but in many states a minor can petition the court for emancipation to take responsibility for their own care before they turn 18. Generally speaking, courts are wary about granting emancipation. In most cases, you would have to prove in court that you have an income and can care for yourself financially, and that you are able to live separately from your parents. It also helps to be in good standing at school. The court will also factor in the mental and physical welfare of your parents in order to establish your best interest. Usually your legal guardian would have to agree to this in court. Once you are emancipated, you can legally choose where you live, but you might still find that you cannot sign a lease or build credit until you turn 18. The emancipation process can take several months or up to a year, and may cost money in the form of court fees and other expenses. Usually, the best way to learn about emancipation in your state is to contact a lawyer. You may also find information at your county family court. We can look up legal aid resources that may be able to help you with the process. Please do not hesitate to call or chat if you have questions, need legal resources, or need to talk. We can explore your situation, go over all your options, and come up with a plan and resources to deal with your situation over the phone or on live chat. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon, and wish you the best of luck.

Please reach out soon so that we may offer support and resources to you. Our number is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929).

Be safe,

NRS

Can I get emancipated even if my parent refuses to let me?
I am 15 years old and I will be 16 in 4 months. I am wanting to move out and I do not have a job currently because my mother won't let me, but I can get emancipated, get a job, and then get an apartment with roommates to help with rent. I have been looking at apartments and I found a 3 bedroom that is completely affordable for 4 of us. I heard there are emancipation fee's and I was wondering I can hold on to those fees until I could pay them?
My reason as to why I am wanting to get emancipated is because of my mom, we never get along and I do not agree with her rules. She can be mentally abusive at times and there have been times that I have gotten in trouble and I left the house with bruises on me after those situations. She says she is allowed to but I am positive she can't. I refused to give her my phone so they were forcing it from me and I got hit multiple times. My mom used to threaten emancipation on me but now that I know what it is I want it and she wouldn't approve.
I need some advice so if I can get help please I would appreciate that so much!

[ccsmod15]

It sounds like you are interested in emancipation. We are not legal experts, but we can help you get a general sense of how emancipation works. Our general understanding is some states offer formal emancipation statutes while others do not unfortunately. Laws vary depending on your location, but in many states a minor can petition the court for emancipation to take responsibility for their own care before they turn 18. Generally speaking, courts are wary about granting emancipation. In most cases, you would have to prove in court that you have an income and can care for yourself financially, and that you are able to live separately from your parents. It also helps to be in good standing at school. The court will also factor in the mental and physical welfare of your parents in order to establish your best interest. Usually your legal guardian would have to agree to this in court. Once you are emancipated, you can legally choose where you live, but you might still find that you cannot sign a lease or build credit until you turn 18. The emancipation process can take several months or up to a year, and may cost money in the form of court fees and other expenses. Usually, the best way to learn about emancipation in your state is to contact a lawyer. You may also find information at your county family court. We can look up legal aid resources that may be able to help you with the process. Please do not hesitate to call or chat if you have questions, need legal resources, or need to talk. We can explore your situation, go over all your options, and come up with a plan and resources to deal with your situation over the phone or on live chat. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon, and wish you the best of luck.
NRS

Can I get emancipated if my parents doesn't want me to? I get verbal abuse and get hit and when I say something my mom says it my fault and get mad if I tell anyone else and makes it seem like I'm the bad guy I'm willing to wait till I'm 16 to get emancipated but i know for a fact she would get mad and yell at me if I ask her to sign

[ccsmod15]

Hi –



Thanks for contacting us here at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). We are not legal experts, but can give a general sense of how emancipation works.  It’s great that you and your boyfriend both have stable jobs and are saving.



Laws on emancipation vary from state to state. Many, but not all states allow a minor to petition the court for emancipation before they turn 18. In most cases, you (and, separately, your boyfriend) would have to prove in court that you have an income and can care for yourself financially, and that you are able to live separately from your parents.  It also helps to be in good standing at school.  



Typically, your legal guardian would have to agree to your emancipation in court. The emancipation process can take several months or up to a year, and may cost money (court fees and other expenses). Courts tend to be wary about granting emancipation.  



Generally speaking, the best way to learn about emancipation in your state is to contact a lawyer. You may also find information at your county family court. We can look up legal aid resources for you in your state if you contact us via phone or chat.



Please do not hesitate to call or text if you have questions, need legal resources, or want to talk. We can explore your situation, go over options, and help develop a plan.  Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).



We are looking forward to hearing from you soon, and wish you the best of luck.



Be safe, NRS

My boyfriend and I was to get emancipated but we don't think our parents are going to let us is there anyway we could get emancipated without their permission we both have stable jobs and have been saving for a very long time

[ccsmod15]

Hi there,

Emancipation can definitely be a confusing process, and we're glad you are reaching out for help. We are not legal experts but we do have some general knowledge on the process. Not all states offer emancipation, but in states that do, youth usually have to be 16, provide for themselves financially and physically with housing. To our knowledge the process can be easier with the consent of your legal guardian or parent but it is not always necessary. A good way to explore this option more concretely is to reach out to a legal aid resource in your state. The process generally requires a lawyer and talking with an expert may help you decide if this is something you would like to pursue. We would be happy to connect you with a legal aid resource in your are or state if you give us a call at 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929) or live chat with us through our website, www.1800runaway.org. We are here 24/7 and would be happy to help if we can. We hope to hear from you soon.

Best of luck,
NRS

I'm just confused about the whole emancipation thing. I want to get emancipated but only one biological parent agrees to it whereas the other does not. I am 16, mature, and can financially take care of myself but the biological parent will make sure I don't get emancipated and would say Im not mature or make something up to make me look bad the parent doesn't even let me leave the house or go anywhere I've tried to go to a family member's house to get away from this parent and the parent didn't let me leave. I don't know what to do I've been through hell my whole life and I just want to be happy please help

[ccsmod15]

It sounds like you are interested in emancipation. We are not legal experts, but we can help you get a general sense of how emancipation works. Our general understanding is some states offer formal emancipation statutes while others do not unfortunately. As far as we know you may not need any parent permission or you may need both because laws vary depending on your location. But in many states a minor can petition the court for emancipation to take responsibility for their own care before they turn 18. Generally speaking, courts are wary about granting emancipation. In most cases, you would have to prove in court that you have an income and can care for yourself financially, and that you are able to live separately from your parents. It also helps to be in good standing at school. The court will also factor in the mental and physical welfare of your parents in order to establish your best interest. Usually your legal guardian would have to agree to this in court. Once you are emancipated, you can legally choose where you live, but you might still find that you cannot sign a lease or build credit until you turn 18. The emancipation process can take several months or up to a year, and may cost money in the form of court fees and other expenses. Usually, the best way to learn about emancipation in your state is to contact a lawyer. You may also find information at your county family court. We can look up legal aid resources that may be able to help you with the process. Please do not hesitate to call or chat if you have questions, need legal resources, or need to talk. We can explore your situation, go over all your options, and come up with a plan and resources to deal with your situation over the phone or on live chat. We are looking forward to hearing from you soon, and wish you the best of luck.

Is it possible to get emancipated if one biological parent agrees to it and the other does not? If so how does that work?